A man plunged an eight inch kitchen knife into a mum-of-two's chest during a violent, drunken row, a murder trial jury was told.

A man plunged an eight inch kitchen knife into a mum-of-two's chest during a violent, drunken row, a murder trial jury was told.

Beverley Staff, aged 46, a former nurse at Birmingham's Children's Hospital, was killed by a single stab wound by John Wallace, her partner of more than 20 years, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Mr Patrick Thomas QC said the incident occurred at their home in Poplar Road, Bearwood, last May 3 after she incensed him by cutting up his swimming trunks and pouring his beer down the toilet.

Wallace, 56, denies a charge of murder.

Mr Thomas told the jury of eight women and four men that the couple had been heavy drinkers. Their relationship was "stormy" and they had separate beds at the family home they shared with their nine-year-old son and daughter, aged six.

He said the fatal blow was struck when Ms Staff had also threatened to smash up their children's TVs. Mr Thomas said Mr Wallace had taken a knife from the kitchen and stabbed her as she was sitting on her bed. He later told police he had taken the knife for protection.

It would be up to the jury to decide whether it was acceptable that Wallace's sudden loss of control was a sufficiently excusable defence.

Mr Thomas said that after calling emergency services following the fatal blow, Wallace said to a police officer: "She deserved it. I'm glad it is over at last. She made our lives hell."

The jury was told that earlier that day the couple took their children to a party at Harborne's Old House at Home pub. Both later left separately with Ms Staff the worse for drink.

Wallace had visited an off licence to get some cans of beer, but found he was locked out the house. He was able to gain entry some time later and began drinking while sitting on the toilet seat. Ms Staff had asked to go into the toilet and when he left, poured his drink down the pan.

Mr Thomas said she had then threatened to smash their children's TVs up and Wallace went into the kitchen, took a knife and went upstairs.

He plunged the knife up to the hilt in to her body as she sat in her bedroom and while the children were downstairs.